Andaman Coucal vs Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

Centropus andamanensis compared with Surniculus lugubris

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Andaman Coucal Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo
Scientific Name Centropus andamanensis Surniculus lugubris
Order Cuculiformes Cuculiformes
Family Cuculidae Cuculidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 34.5 cm (13.6 in) 23.8 cm (9.4 in)
Weight 199.0 g (7.02 oz) 31.65 g (1.12 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-3 --
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Andaman Coucal only

Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo only

None

Song & Call Comparison

Andaman Coucal

Song

Melodic, whistled phrase with clear quality; pure resonant notes carrying across African woodland habitat.

Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

Song

Loud, raucous call with harsh penetrating quality; rough notes given from tall forest tree. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Andaman Coucal

Least Concern

Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

How to Tell Them Apart

Andaman Coucal

Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

Plumage

Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo: glossy black; square-cut tail; drongo mimic; pale tail tips; red eye; southeast Asian drongo mimic

About These Birds

Andaman Coucal

Andaman Coucal (Centropus andamanensis) — 42–47 cm. Chestnut back and wings; black head and underparts; long graduated tail. Endemic to the Andaman Islands, India, in forest and scrub. Non-parasitic. Omnivore. Previously treated as a subspecies of Greater Coucal.

Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo

Square-tailed Drongo-cuckoo (Surniculus lugubris) — 24–27 cm. Glossy blue-black overall; white vent barring; square-cut tail. Inhabits forest from the Himalayas through the Malay Peninsula to Borneo and the Philippines. Brood parasite mimicking drongos to penetrate nesting territories. Insectivore.

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